Week of May 4

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Gender-neutral language and terminology was a big topic in the news this week. A student newspaper at Pepperdine University posted a “Queer Lingo Dictionary” that described LGBTQ+ terms. The article highlighted they/them/their as the most commonly used gender-neutral pronouns. One article discussed incorporating gender-neutral language in the workplace in order to be a LGBTQ+ ally and avoid gender biases. Another article about terminology mentioned how the gender-neutral term Latinx should be dropped since it is mainly used by academics and not by the majority of Spanish speakers. In other news, the “Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching, assessment” has been updated; all “descriptors” are now gender neutral.

Colombia, Panama, and Peru enacted gender-based restrictions that permit men and women to leave the house on alternating days, as part of an attempt to combat the spread of coronavirus. This has proved to be harmful for transgender and nonbinary citizens. Peru revoked this restriction after a few days, replacing it with a gender-neutral edict permitting a single person from a household to leave per day. An article in Vice discussed the lack of gender-neutral options to describe one’s gender identity.

Gender-neutral baby names and parenting were another large topic this week. One article released a list of 10 gender-neutral “mystical” inspired baby names and others listed 10 gender-neutral baby names for cancer, gemini, and virgo zodiac signs. Another article discussed gender-neutral baby names that have become popular during quarantine. Several articles discussed the birth of Elon Musk and Grimes’ child, X Æ A-12. The new parents have decided to raise their child in a gender-neutral fashion, which most articles note is a trend. Another article highlights how big retail stores, such as Target and Kmart, are selling children’s toys in gender-neutral colors in order to avoid gender stereotyping. “Girl toys” that are traditionally pink are now sold in gender-neutral white and grey colors in order to appeal to all genders.